Sean's Blog

Friday blues

Disappointing day at Aqueduct yesterday. Awakened jumped inconsistently, never traveled, fell out the back of the race, passed a few tired horses to be a disappointing fifth. Gordon’s Jet failed to settle and showed yet again that he’s not a racetrack horse. Bad management on my part. We’ll regroup. There … Read More

Grade 1 Road Trip

Coat and tie? It’s a Grade 1. Of course. At Aqueduct on a Thursday…90 degrees. Hmmm. On the way to Aqueduct for the rescheduled Beverly R. Steinman. First race. Post time 1:05. The coat and tie are on the back seat. We’ll see. Awakened and Gordon’s Jet representing Riverdee in … Read More

Royal Ascot Day two

Awesome racing yesterday at Royal Ascot. Dad and I watched most of it from his room at my sister’s house in Rehoboth. We can still enjoy racing, something we’ve been doing for 53 years. He let out a “Wowwww” as Rosallion shifted lanes and shifted gears to win the St … Read More

Royal Ascot Day 1

Opening day of the five-day festival. In case you’re interested… 1st Carriage The King The Queen The Duke of Wellington The Duchess of Wellington 2nd Carriage The Princess Royal The Lady Gabriella Kingston Mr. Peter Phillips Mr. John Warren 3rd Carriage The Earl of Halifax The Countess of Halifax Mrs. … Read More

Long Drives Home

We went to Laurel yesterday. Pietrelcina making his second start for us. Fresh off a rallying second going a furlong shorter three weeks ago. We went full of hope, like we always do. We left, full of disappointment, like we usually do. Usually, because in this sport, you’re a star … Read More

Off a Day or Two

Just trying to recalibrate and regroup after four hectic days at Saratoga. The Belmont Festival proved to be a success for all involved. NYRA, Saratoga, Belmont and The Special. Dornoch, Thorpedo Anna and all the other winners, too. It was definitely a whirlwind for The Special. Joe, Tom and I … Read More

Cup of Coffee: For CHuck

“For those that hadn’t heard I have been dealing with some unexpected, yet major health issues…For those that have reached out, I thank you sincerely as it means a lot.” That was a post from Chuck Simon, former trainer, backstretch stalwart and loyal reader of The Special, earlier in the … Read More

No Race

After a late night at The Special Saturday night and into Sunday morning, it was still dry at 2:30 in the morning. We had managed to dance around the rain for the first three days of the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga. You can only dance for so long. By … Read More

Cup of coffee: Two Furlongs

Two Furlongs It started out as a feature. Talk to trainers and jockeys about the Belmont Stakes at 1 ½ miles at Belmont Park at the Belmont Stakes at 1 ¼ miles at Saratoga. Talk about horses who won there but would not have won here. And the ones who … Read More

Cup of Coffee: TIme

Time  I’ve reached that age.  “How’s your son? “How’s your dad?”  Those are the questions asked more often than any other as I get back on the racetrack beat this week.  A reader once said to me, “You don’t know us, but we know you. We know your wives, your … Read More